Mocked Up: 2014 NBA Draft

9. Toronto Raptors select Dante Exum, PG, Australia

The work Masai Ujiri has done in Toronto is nothing short of remarkable. Not only did he rid the franchise of Rudy Gay and Andrea Bargnani’s contracts, but he did so without giving up any picks nor adding any bad contracts. Next on the chopping block is the expiring contract of Kyle Lowry. With him gone, they’ll be in the market for a new point guard, even with the inclusion of Greivis Vasquez. Exum at the 9th pick is a fantastic value pick, and I don’t think he’d actually fall this far in June.

10. Minnesota Timberwolves select Rodney Hood, G/F, Duke

Another playing flying up draft boards is Rodney Hood of Duke. A dynamic perimeter scorer, Hood could fit in to a Timberwolves team that lacks perimeter scoring outside of Kevin Martin. However, like Sacramento, I don’t expect Minnesota to be in this position come June, and if they are, they have a lot more questions to answer than who they’ll need to draft.

11. New Orleans Pelicans select Adreian Payne, F/C, Michigan State

Things were going so well for the Pelicans prior to Anthony Davis’ injury. If he comes back in the form he was prior to his injury, this is a fringe playoff team. If not, this team is set back another year, with more questions than ever before about where to go from here. Payne could provide them a dynamic scoring option beside Davis, mirroring Ryan Anderson’s stretch four ability.